“God's gracious Word in truth is an Ocean of speech, I
ween,
Teeming with gems and jewels, and pearls of luminous
sheen.
Bitter to outward seeming, like the Sea, is the Scripture's
page,
But precious as pearls of price is the Inward Sense to the
sage.
Down in the depths of the Ocean are gems and pearls
galore;
Seek then a skilful diver, and bid farewell to the shore.
Wherefore hath God bestowed in the depths of the Ocean's
brine
All these pearls of price, and jewels so rare and fine?
Wherefore if not for the Prophet, who made the Inward
Sense
The portion of Wisdom's children, but the Letter a Rock
of Offence?
A handful of salt-stained clay hath the Diver offered to
thee
Because in thine heart he beheld but envy and enmity.
Strive from the Outward Form to the Inward Sense to
win
Like a man, nor rest content like an ass with a senseless
din.